BeachNet Repeater System

BeachNet System Contingency Plan

Pacific, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Thurston & Wahkiakum Counties, Washington

145.170 |  145.310 |  145.390 |  147.020 |  147.180 |  147.340 |  224.040 |  224.820 |  440.675 |  441.675 |  442.675 |  444.050 |  444.200 |  444.300 |  444.400 |  444.500 |  444.700 |  444.800 |  444.925 |  444.950
 

 

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ARES/RACES

BeachNet Emergency Plan,
Operations under unusual conditions

Serving our
Communities
in times of need
Amateur Radio is the Hobby, Emergency Communication is the Commitment

    Emergency Configuration
The
BeachNet System was built primarily to support Emergency Communications in the southern coastal region of Washington State. As normally configured, the BeachNet System operates as a multi-county, wide range network, providing a convenient way for users to communicate nearly anywhere in the "Lower Left Corner" of Washington State. During times of Emergency or Disaster, some changes in the configuration of the links between individual repeater stations within the BeachNet system may be implemented. A single, multi-county, wide-coverage network is very useful in "normal" times, but during a communications emergency, each jurisdiction may require its own resources to conduct their operations.

The radio links connecting our repeaters together into a single cohesive network can be selectively switched off, allowing any of the repeaters to become a single stand-alone machine. This allows fragmenting the network to meet local requirements. Additionally, many of these links can be reconfigured using alternative, secondary paths, providing a great deal of flexibility in the possible groupings of portions of the system.

The 441.675 KO Peak, 440.675 Naselle, and 444.800 Long Beach repeaters incorporate frequency-agile remote base transceivers that can be used on virtually any Amateur radio VHF/UHF frequency and completely controlled remotely. Nearly all the rest of the
BeachNet repeaters incorporate multi-channel link systems that allow a great deal of flexibility. These can be remotely switched to connect through any of several other link paths. This allows linking around a failed repeater site in the network, or assembling smaller groupings of repeaters ("mini-networks") to serve a particular need that might arise.
    Grays Harbor County
The four Grays Harbor County repeaters, 444.700 Neilton, 444.200 Ocean Shores, 145.390 Cosmopolis, and 444.050 Minot are likely to be separated from the rest of the network. One or more of these may operate as stand-alone resources, but more likely, all four may be linked together. This configuration provides continuity within the County, and allows all four repeaters to be monitored with a single radio at the EOC. These four repeaters combine to cover virtually all of Grays Harbor County. The Grays Harbor County ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) has complete authority to control these repeaters.

The 444.950 Olympia repeater, although physically located in Thurston County, is a Grays Harbor County asset, and in a communications emergency, will likely be disconnected from BeachNet, to operate as a stand-alone resource. This station is designated to be used for direct access to the Washington State Emergency Operations Center (State EOC) at Camp Murray from most of ARES District Three. Grays Harbor County is "first in line" to use this repeater, with Pacific County second in line. Other Emergency Management jurisdictions may use this repeater on a not-to-interfere basis. The Olympia repeater also serves as a back-up for the ARES District Three Net, which operates during any regional emergency. Normally this net is held on the 145.470 Capitol Peak Repeater (not part of BeachNet), but in case of a failure, the Net moves to the 444.950 Olympia machine. These two repeaters are located within 100-yards of each other at the same site, but are in different buildings, on individual towers and with separate generators. This makes them as independent as possible, while sharing a similar coverage area. The Grays Harbor County ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) has complete authority to control this repeater.
    Wahkiakum County
The 444.500 Nicolai, 444.300 Cathlamet, and 147.020 Grays River repeaters serving Wahkiakum County may be disconnected from BeachNet to operate linked together or as stand-alone repeaters, covering that county and the surrounding area. The 444.500 Nicolai repeater provides critical coverage into Longview and Vancouver, WA., including much of ARES District Four, of which this county is a member. The network link to Pacific County, and through it to Camp Murray, may be reestablished at will as necessary. The Wahkiakum County ARES EC has complete authority to control these three repeaters.
    Pacific County
The 224.040 KO Peak repeater normally operates as a stand-alone machine. Its contribution to Emergency Communications is to form a direct tactical voice connection between the Emergency Operating Centers (EOCs) of Grays Harbor, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Clark, Cowlitz, and Lewis counties of Southwestern Washington and the State Emergency Operations Center (State EOC) at Camp Murray, as well as each other.

The 224.820 South Bend repeater, although normally linked into BeachNet will probably be disconnected from the network to fulfill two important functions. First, this repeater is used as an intra-county intercom between the two county EOCs, at South Bend and Long Beach. In the unlikely event that communications were to be lost between these two EOCs, this repeater can be pressed into service as a direct audio connection for coordination. Second, this repeater incorporates a 6-meter remote base used to monitor or join emergency nets in the Puget Sound area.

The remainder of BeachNet covers Pacific County, and is at the disposal of Pacific County ARES, to provide Emergency Communications in support of the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency. The 441.675 KO Peak repeater provides direct access to Camp Murray. The high terrain surrounding Pacific County tends to cut this rural county off, and the integral remote base station can connect to numerous repeaters in Western Washington and Oregon, helping to mitigate this isolation. This transceiver stack includes the FM portions of the 29.9-29.7; 50.1-54; 144.1-148; 222.18-225; and 440-450 MHz bands. This remote base function is also available on the 440.675 Naselle repeater, on the 144.1-148; 222.18-225; and 440-450 MHz bands as well.

The 444.800 Long Beach repeater also includes a remote base, featuring transceivers for the 2-meter, 1.25-meter and 70-centimeter bands. The South Pacific County AEOC is less than a mile away, making this repeater an integral part of the Amateur radio compliment available for communications from this emergency station.

The nature of the various links between the repeaters allows for flexibility in the configuration of the network. The 442.675 and 147.340 South Bend repeaters normally operate coupled together and linked to the rest of the system. This critical piece of the network overlooks the Pacific County EOC, and can be split apart into two independent repeaters, with the link to the rest of the system following on either (or neither) of them. Thus, one repeater could remain part of BeachNet while the other may be used simultaneously as a stand-alone, independent repeater for local operations.

The 147.180 Megler repeater and its four associated remote receivers operate as a unit. The BeachNet system link can alternatively connect this repeater to the Naselle station, allowing the Megler 2-meter machine to follow whatever the Naselle remote base is linked to. The Megler link can also connect to several other alternate stations. Of course, the Megler system link can also be switched off to make the repeater stand-alone.

The 444.400 and 145.310 North Cove repeaters operate independently from each other. The 2-meter repeater is normally linked to the network through the KO Peak hub, however that link can be redirected through any of several other network stations, or disconnected altogether. The UHF repeater normally operates as a stand-alone machine, but has a network link that can be switched on. The North Cove UHF repeater is reserved for local use by the Shoalwater/Tokeland/Grayland area emergency responders. It is important to note the Remote Receiver for the 145.310 North Cove VHF repeater makes its link not to the repeater itself, but through the KO Peak system linking hub. If the network link from the VHF repeater is switched off, the remote receiver will not follow.

The 145.170 Ocean Park repeater can potentially link to any of several other sites. One is the 444.925 Megler IRLP repeater. Although this normally provides a 2-meter port to the UHF IRLP circuit, the repeater has a different emergency communication function. IRLP operation is dependent upon the Internet. If local Internet service is down, there will be no IRLP function, however the repeater itself should still operate as a normal machine in stand-alone service. The Pacific County Amateur Radio Club 146.860 Ilwaco repeater can also link to the 444.925 Megler IRLP repeater. This potentially forms a mini-network (145.170 Ocean Park - 444.925 Megler IRLP - 146.860 Ilwaco) which can be used for Fire/Medical Support. The three repeaters combined cover the entire length of the Long Beach Peninsula, and the Ocean Beach, Columbia Memorial and Seaside Providence hospitals.
    Resource Ownership
BeachNet comprises private property with a number of owners. The owner, or owner-designated trustee of a repeater, or other Amateur radio station, has the final word on who may use that station. The FCC has reaffirmed this principle on numerous occasions. Any individual or organization intending to use a particular Amateur Radio repeater during emergency or public service activities should approach the owner/trustee of the repeater to secure prior permission for its use. All too often, well-meaning groups assume they may use the repeater(s) they normally use everyday during such events, only to find they are not welcome when they count on it most. Plan ahead.

The 444.950 Olympia repeater and associated packet radio station is owned by Doyle Wenzel, N7UJK, of Aberdeen, WA.

The 444.700 Neilton, 444.200 Ocean Shores, 444.050 Minot, and 145.390 Cosmopolis, repeaters are owned by N7UJK, with portions on indefinite loan by NM7R, to N7UJK, as trustee, representing Grays Harbor County ARES/RACES/ACS.

The 444.500 Nicolai repeater and associated packet station is owned by Gordon Spalding, WA6TTR, of Cathlamet, WA., except for some pieces of equipment that are on loan from NM7R.

The 224.040 KO Peak repeater is owned by Loren Flindt, KB7APU, of Vancouver, WA, and is on indefinite loan to NM7R and N7XAC, as joint trustees.

The remainder of the BeachNet System is owned jointly by Shane Madsen, N7XAC, and Frank Wolfe, NM7R, as equal partners.


 

 

Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service

ARRL Western Washington Section (WWA)

Washington State ARES - District 3

Pacific County ARES/RACES - WA7PC

Grays Harbor County ARES/RACES - W7EOC

Wahkiakum County, ARES/RACES

Clatsop County, Oregon, ARES

Pacific County Emergency Management




 

145.170 |  145.310 |  145.390 |  147.020 |  147.180 |  147.340 |  224.040 |  224.820 |  440.675 |  441.675 |  442.675 |  444.050 |  444.200 |  444.300 |  444.400 |  444.500 |  444.700 |  444.800 |  444.925 |  444.950
 

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This Page Last Updated: 02/18/17.